Straits of Florida

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

4.5·46 catches

Logged catches

4.5

Top fish species at Straits of Florida

Common dolphinfish

Blackfin tuna

Swordfish

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Straits of Florida fishing reports

Common dolphinfish

length · weight

Scup

length · weight

Swordfish

53 in · 55 lb

Common dolphinfish

length · weight

Sandbar shark

105 in · 260 lb

Blackfin tuna

length · weight

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Fishing regulations at Straits of Florida, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round

Common dolphinfish

Regulation boundarySouth Atlantic Federal Waters

Bag limit10

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size20" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Vessel limit54

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information

Effective May 2nd 2022, the recreational vessel limit for dolphin is 54 fish (excluding headboats). The 10 dolphin per person per day recreational bag limit will remain unchanged for all recreational vessels (private, charter vessels, and headboats). See Fishery Bulletin Must be landed with head and fins intact.Minimum size limit only applies in waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas. ----------Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed. For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.

Edibility

Excellent, and they are considered a very sustainable fishery. Catch, Clean, Cook Mahi Mahi by DMFD

Synonyms

Coryphaena hippurus, dorado, mahi mahi

Season open: year-round

Blackfin tuna

Regulation boundaryFL State + Fed Waters

Bag limit2

Vessel limit10

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information

Recreational bag limit for blackfin tuna is two fish per person or 10 fish per vessel, whichever is greater. These regulations extend into federal waters. This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Thunnus atlanticus

Season open: year-round

Swordfish

Regulation boundaryHighly Migratory Species

Bag limit1

Min size47" (Lower Jaw to Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Lower Jaw to Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the lower jaw to the rear center edge of the tail

Vessel limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Required licenses

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit

Additional information

25 inch minimum size cleithrum to caudal keel length if head removed. Swordfish may be harvested with rod and reel and/or handline. Swordfish captured but not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. Do NOT remove the fish from the water. No more than one daily limit may be possessed onboard a vessel regardless of the length of the trip. Anglers must report all recreational billfish landings. Report all non-tournament recreational Atlantic billfish landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-800-894-5528 or hmspermits.noaa.gov. You must report recreational landings of billfish in North Carolina by calling 1-800-338-7804. You must report recreational landings of billfish in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531. All highly migratory species require an HMS Angling Permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit. For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species

Edibility

Excellent, but may contain high mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Swordfish by DMFD featuring Brito Mas Grande

Synonyms

Broadbill Swordfish, California Swordfish, Pacific Swordfish, Xiphias gladius

Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Cities nearby

40.1 miles away

42.3 miles away

47.8 miles away

52.6 miles away

Islamorada, Village of Islands

54.0 miles away

54.1 miles away

54.2 miles away

54.3 miles away

54.8 miles away

55.0 miles away

55.1 miles away

55.6 miles away

55.9 miles away

56.8 miles away

57.4 miles away

57.5 miles away

58.5 miles away

59.7 miles away

59.8 miles away

60.1 miles away

61.2 miles away

61.6 miles away

61.7 miles away

63.6 miles away

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FAQ about Straits of Florida fishing

📍 Where is Straits of Florida located?

Straits of Florida is a water located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:

25°00′1.4″N 79°44′58.9″W

🎣 Where on Straits of Florida is it best to fish?

Find the best fishing spots on Straits of Florida by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.

🐟 What species are in Straits of Florida?

The most common species in Straits of Florida are:

Common dolphinfish - 7 members reported to have caught this fish
Blackfin tuna - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
Swordfish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish

📢 What are the latest Straits of Florida fishing reports?

The latest Straits of Florida fishing reports are:

@collin.johnson reported a nice Common dolphinfish.
@j4m3z reported a nice Scup.
@BradleyL21 reported a nice Swordfish.
@parkerchern reported a nice Common dolphinfish.
@Sanchez224 reported a nice Sandbar shark.

🗓️ What species are in season at Straits of Florida right now?

According to fishing regulations at Straits of Florida, some of the species in season this October include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Permit. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .

🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Straits of Florida?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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Straits of Florida

Top fish species at Straits of Florida

Straits of Florida fishing reports

General info

Location

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Straits of Florida, FL

Regulations for top species

Common dolphinfish

Blackfin tuna

Swordfish

Reviews of Straits of Florida

Other fishing waters nearby

Cities nearby

Anything missing or inaccurate?

FAQ about Straits of Florida fishing